March 9, 2010: In a vote tallied on March 8, Teamsters employed by Reddaway Truck Lines, a regional subsidiary of YRCW, rejected a contract offer including concessions.
The Northwest Teamsters, members of Locals 162, 174, 206, 324, and 962 in Oregon and Washington, have had a contract with Reddaway for decades. The economics of the rejected deal were negotiated by IBT Freight Division representatives without involvement of Local Union representatives and stewards from the affected Locals.
The members rejected the offer because they felt they were being asked to accept more of a sacrifice than the concessions suffered by YRC employees. Reddaway employees’ wages and pension contributions have historically been considerably less than Master Freight.
On top of 15 percent wage cuts, Reddaway employees would have had to pay some out of pocket for their medical insurance. Also, dock workers wages would have been cut to $17.75 per hour.
The contract between Reddaway and the Northwest Teamsters Locals expired on December 31, 2008, but has been extended. A grievance over Reddaway's stopping pension contributions is pending arbitration.